Activity 20
What Does It Feel Like to Be Excluded?
Purpose
To develop empathy by imagining what it might be like to be excluded or discriminated against, and to propose possible responses.
Instructions
Developing an understanding of the experience of others in a pluralistic society is critical if teachers and students are to develop a fuller knowledge of culture and its various forms. One way to develop such a skill is to listen to the voices of individuals who have felt excluded from the mainstream for one reason or another—perhaps due to overt racism; subtle, institutional racism; general ignorance; subtle pressure; or genuine dislike. Read the following quotes and try to identify one or two feelings associated with them. Then consider what you as a teacher might say and do in response (adapted from an exercise developed by Beth Swadener).
Low-income mother: “My son understands that we have no money the last week of each month, and yet he was pressured by his teacher to have a new workbook by the next class. When we could not afford it that week he was made to sit out of class. The teacher said, “Everyone else remembered to get their book, why didn’t you?”
As the mother, I feel
As a teacher, I might
Jewish parent: “Last year our daughter asked me, ‘Could we have a Christmas tree and just not use it?’”
As the parent, I feel
As a teacher, I might
Chinese parent: “My daughter asked me, ‘Can I have blonde hair? It’s better to be blonde.’”
As the parent, I feel
As a teacher, I might
Native American parent: “The schools continue to miseducate my son. The images he has of native people are limited, and there is virtually no relevant Native American history taught in his school.”
As the parent, I feel
As a teacher, I might
Islamic parent: “My child’s school has many Christian-based activities and has never even recognized that some of the students are not Christian.”
As the parent, I feel
As a teacher, I might
Single parent mother: “I feel that all my son’s behavior at school is blamed on the fact that I’m a single parent, and that many judgments about our family are made based on no other evidence than our ‘single-parent family’ status.”
As the mother, I feel
As a teacher, I might
Vietnamese parent: (translated from Vietnamese) “My children speak and read better English than I do. It is so hard when lots of letters and information come home from school in English. I also feel that my children are losing respect for their parents and elders in this country.”
As the parent, I feel
As a teacher, I might
Extend this activity by collecting some of your own quotes from statements by children, parents, and other community members who represent diverse groups and who have felt excluded. Record three examples below.
Human Diversity Workbook Activity 20 | 1